Saved by a Nephew

 

But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of the plot,

He went into the barracks and told Paul.

Acts 23:16

I just had a visit from all five of my children - at the same time!  It was a blessing!  Family can be a wonderful system of support and encouragement.  They can also be a pain in the neck!  For Paul, God utilized his family to save his life.

The Jews concocted a plan to entice the Roman commander to send Paul to Jerusalem.  As soon as the traveling party was away from the barracks, a mob of 40 men would attack them and kill Paul.  Paul’s nephew overheard the plot and ran directly to the barracks to tell him.  Paul asked one of the centurions to take the lad to the commander.

When the commander heard the young man’s words, he ordered the boy to let no one know of his knowledge of the plot. Then he directed his leaders to put together a detachment of 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen, who would leave that night, under cover of darkness, to take Paul to Governor Felix in Caesarea.   Even the hate-filled Jews would not pit their 40 men against a contingent of 470 of Rome’s finest.

Todays Summer Reading:  Acts 22-24